But Gavin doesn't review games, so I don't understand your point. If I had been the one doing videos, you'd be right, that'd be a conflict of interest. So is your suggestion because Gavin did Mass Effect songs that I'm biased?

That's a loaded question, but I'll answer it anyway. While I cannot say for certain that you wrote a biased review, I can say that at some level, it does influence you, just as being around people that are excited about the game (regardless of reason) would influence you. Example: I wrote a review for Edge of the Abyss from FFG, and rather thsn sit back and mull it over for a while, I took it right into a gaming group and we went over it. This was a mistake, and you can see the difference between it, which I'm positively gushing about it, and other books where I'm more staid. This was caused by the effect of the people I had gone over it with influencing my own opinion.

Had I written it following my usual system, it would not have scored as highly.

No-one else in the office had the game. I had no idea that Gavin was working on a new song until I saw him tweet about it yesterday. He's in Ireland, after all, and I'm in North Carolina. I didn't have anyone to discuss the game with.

But as I've said before, you go ahead and believe what you like. You clearly have decided that because my opinion differs from yours, I was influenced in some nefarious or unethical way. People see what they want to see, and believing that someone is dishonest is more interesting than believing they're honest.

But as I've said before, you go ahead and believe what you like. You clearly have decided that because my opinion differs from yours, I was influenced in some nefarious or unethical way. People see what they want to see, and believing that someone is dishonest is more interesting than believing they're honest.

LOL

Nothing nefarious or unethical about it. It's how people's brains work. In the old days they called it being too close to the story. Science calls it the Uncertainty Principal. You influence people and events without ever knowing or realizing it, let alone deliberately setting out to do it.

But as I've said before, you go ahead and believe what you like. You clearly have decided that because my opinion differs from yours, I was influenced in some nefarious or unethical way. People see what they want to see, and believing that someone is dishonest is more interesting than believing they're honest.

LOL

Nothing nefarious or unethical about it. It's how people's brains work. In the old days they called it being too close to the story. Science calls it the Uncertainty Principal. You influence people and events without ever knowing or realizing it, let alone deliberately setting out to do it.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

Good review, though i'll admit I did wish that this game would suck so i'd feel slightly better about my refusal to buy it over principle. I don't care if EA will never know who I am: I will not be strongarmed.

As for the people here who are saying that Susan might have been bribed by EA to give this game a good review.... fuck off. Seriously. I may have wanted this game to fail for my own reasons, but I'm not going to ride the denial and bullshit train THAT far.

But as I've said before, you go ahead and believe what you like. You clearly have decided that because my opinion differs from yours, I was influenced in some nefarious or unethical way. People see what they want to see, and believing that someone is dishonest is more interesting than believing they're honest.

LOL

Nothing nefarious or unethical about it. It's how people's brains work. In the old days they called it being too close to the story. Science calls it the Uncertainty Principal. You influence people and events without ever knowing or realizing it, let alone deliberately setting out to do it.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

If a game gets a really high score and I disagree with that score A LOT, I feel cheated because I work damn hard for my money. Squad doing a bunk all the time and characters doing a bunk from cut scenes in a game where story immersion is so important = 4.5stars. Really? It sounds like another AAA game released unfinished to me.

Nothing nefarious or unethical about it. It's how people's brains work. In the old days they called it being too close to the story. Science calls it the Uncertainty Principal. You influence people and events without ever knowing or realizing it, let alone deliberately setting out to do it.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

Aww, what's wrong with conspiracies?

They have really crappy health care. Seriously, the copay is outrageous and there's no dental coverage to speak of. I mean, I realize it's tough to have a good HR department when, you know, nobody's really allowed to talk to each other, but still!

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

Aww, what's wrong with conspiracies?

They have really crappy health care. Seriously, the copay is outrageous and there's no dental coverage to speak of. I mean, I realize it's tough to have a good HR department when, you know, nobody's really allowed to talk to each other, but still!

Mass Effect 3 Special Edition: Game, metal tin, small comic book, art book, post card "lithograph", N7 velcro patch (with no opposite end to stick), DLC code for armor, Day1 DLC mission that people are angry that it didn't come with the game in the first place, digital soundtrack. 80USD(PC)

But that's not so much about the game as it is pricing and content, I'm about to start my game up now actually.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

Aww, what's wrong with conspiracies?

They have really crappy health care. Seriously, the copay is outrageous and there's no dental coverage to speak of. I mean, I realize it's tough to have a good HR department when, you know, nobody's really allowed to talk to each other, but still!

Have you talked to Mr. Page Bob? He seems to know what's up. Nice guy, too, at least from the conversations I've had with him.

drednoahl:If a game gets a really high score and I disagree with that score A LOT, I feel cheated because I work damn hard for my money. Squad doing a bunk all the time and characters doing a bunk from cut scenes in a game where story immersion is so important = 4.5stars. Really? It sounds like another AAA game released unfinished to me.

It's not all the time, but it does happen. Characters went missing from cutscenes twice, total, in my 35 hour playthrough. Not omnipresent, but something that needed to be mentioned.

There are definitely technical issues in the game, which is why it's not a 5.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

And since you argued against it, I was willing to concede the point, but you seem to have missed that. However, my other point still stands, do you think it's a kick ass game because it is, or because the opinions of others have colored your own opinion?

For example, I know my own opinion was tainted before I played the game, and it cast it in a much more negative light.

Currently I don't work for a publication, (unless you count Dark Reign).

Which one this particular one was I'd have to actually go look, and frankly an argument on a forum isn't worth the effort of digging through 24 filing cabinets. If I remember right it was down in PA or Western New York, but that doesn't really narrow it down. I do remember they are out of business, because I remember thinking 'good riddance'.

Andy Chalk:[quote="BaronIveagh" post="6.353199.14017069"]Andy's review of one of the last trailers positively gushed with enthusiasm. I don't begrudge him that, but the problem is that it came through in his article.

That's ridiculous, Andy isn't capable of enthusiasm. Or gushing. Or any other human emotion for that matter.

Rednog:I'm enjoying the game so far, sadly the multiplayer is a little broken right now.Some people (myself included) are experiencing lost weapons/characters; and there are some problems with setting certain match choices. A bioware employee on their forums said they were looking into it hopefully they'll figure it out soon, I'm unfortunately stuck with having my Quarian Infiltrator locked out to me.

Do you mean lost weapons and characters that you got from the demo multiplayer? Because, the word was that stuff from the demo multiplayer wouldn't transfer to the actual multiplayer.

The Escapist gave this game 4 & 1/2 stars and said that the ending was epic...the ESCAPIST this incredibly hard to please website, founded on the basis of giving straight up reviews, says that this game is awesome...all fears that I had about this game being bad have officially been obliterated. Oh, and I think my DLC just finished downloading. Time to take Earth back.

You've previously suggested it was at the behest of my employer, which would count as nefarious and unethical. You've offered different theories for why my review reads the way it does, discounting the most obvious one: It's how I actually feel about the game.

There's no conspiracy, no graft, no collusion. I just think it's a kick-ass game.

And since you argued against it, I was willing to concede the point, but you seem to have missed that. However, my other point still stands, do you think it's a kick ass game because it is, or because the opinions of others have colored your own opinion?

I did miss that, yes. Point me to it.

Not sure what opinions of others I was meant to have been exposed to, or why you assume I'm so unprofessional that I'd just let others' unfounded experiences impact what I told readers who trust me.

erttheking:The Escapist gave this game 4 & 1/2 stars and said that the ending was epic...the ESCAPIST this incredibly hard to please website, founded on the basis of giving straight up reviews, says that this game is awesome...all fears that I had about this game being bad have officially been obliterated. Oh, and I think my DLC just finished downloading. Time to take Earth back.

Just to be clear, I didn't reference the ending of the game at all. I said that it's a great ending to the Mass Effect trilogy of games.

Of course it came through. It was meant to come through. It was an awesome trailer.

Seriously, who comes to a videogame site without the desire to share enthusiasm and excitement? Why would you bother?

Why come to a video-game site? To be informed about video games, of course. And World Of Warplanes has an awesome trailer, but I have not yet seen you devote a whole article to how awesome it is.

See, here's the outcome of this whole thing I've been talking about. Giving games super high reviews all the time has a polarizing effect on the fanbase. Someone earlier made the point 'You're either a fan or a hater' was I believe the gist of it.

I love the ME series. I bought limited and collectors of every one of them before this. This one, I don't like. Personal opinion. Do I think something is wrong with everyone giving it fantastic perfect scores despite the bad endings, bugs, etc? Yes, the game media should hold Bioware to a higher standard than that, and should be ashamed of itself for passing out high scores in general the way it has.

Do I think that every last reviewer that liked it is morally bankrupt: no. (Do I think that some of them are: most likely) But at the moment 'good enough' is the new 'GOTY' when we should be expecting more out of game companies.

'Good Enough' got gamers the Duke Nukem Forever we got rather then the one we deserved, as an example.

Do I think that every last reviewer that liked it is morally bankrupt: no. (Do I think that some of them are: most likely) But at the moment 'good enough' is the new 'GOTY' when we should be expecting more out of game companies.

'Good Enough' got gamers the Duke Nukem Forever we got rather then the one we deserved, as an example.

Rednog:I'm enjoying the game so far, sadly the multiplayer is a little broken right now.Some people (myself included) are experiencing lost weapons/characters; and there are some problems with setting certain match choices. A bioware employee on their forums said they were looking into it hopefully they'll figure it out soon, I'm unfortunately stuck with having my Quarian Infiltrator locked out to me.

Do you mean lost weapons and characters that you got from the demo multiplayer? Because, the word was that stuff from the demo multiplayer wouldn't transfer to the actual multiplayer.

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

Which publication do you work for?

I'm interested in this too, followed by the question "WHY do you work for the publication you're working for?".

edit: Nvm. Its been answered. I'm apparantly blind when the clock starts ticking near 24:00

erttheking:The Escapist gave this game 4 & 1/2 stars and said that the ending was epic...the ESCAPIST this incredibly hard to please website, founded on the basis of giving straight up reviews

The same Escapist that gave Dragon Age II a perfect score despite the myriad of fundamental problems that came close to breaking the game and despite the fact that the fan reception left everyone divided between those who saw it for what it was and those desperately trying to deny what had happened to the game, which ended up tanking miserably after week 1 sales?

erttheking:Oh, and I think my DLC just finished downloading. Time to take Earth back.

BaronIveagh:Andy's review of one of the last trailers positively gushed with enthusiasm. I don't begrudge him that, but the problem is that it came through in his article.

Of course it came through. It was meant to come through. It was an awesome trailer.

Seriously, who comes to a videogame site without the desire to share enthusiasm and excitement? Why would you bother?

What I do find rather funny about this whole arguement is how much people moan about how detached from the subject in question writers are, that they have no passion for what they're writing about. Then you show some passion, people start calling it unprofessional.

Personally I am all up for seeing this enthusiasm in articles. At least then I know the articles are by gamers for gamers. It's reassuring that what I'm reading is just as into the subject as I am.

erttheking:The Escapist gave this game 4 & 1/2 stars and said that the ending was epic...the ESCAPIST this incredibly hard to please website, founded on the basis of giving straight up reviews

The same Escapist that gave Dragon Age II a perfect score despite the myriad of fundamental problems that came close to breaking the game and despite the fact that the fan reception left everyone divided between those who saw it for what it was and those desperately trying to deny what had happened to the game, which ended up tanking miserably after week 1 sales?

erttheking:Oh, and I think my DLC just finished downloading. Time to take Earth back.

Oh...nevermind, I see. Joke's on me, then.

A game can be so good as to overshadow its fault. The reviewer will always be biased, because human beings without opinions would be a really boring world. Yet the game has faults, and thus the 4,5 score instead of 5. In the end, scores are stupid. They don't really reveal anything, and are purely there because its expected.

How do the levels feel for a sniper/infiltrator? From your video they look like close quarters combat. I know you have said they have some open places in the game. But in ME2 my sniper used her sniper rifle maybe 3 times. I also hope my crew of Liara/Jack, Garus and my sniper still work. I love Tali but you said we need a nice mix so two techs might be too much.

BaronIveagh:And World Of Warplanes has an awesome trailer, but I have not yet seen you devote a whole article to how awesome it is.

Are you seriously comparing the World of Warplanes alpha gameplay trailer to the Mass Effect 3 launch trailer?

And how exactly is it that you've been playing Mass Effect 3 for so long, anyway? It only just came out today.

The joys of abusing VPNs.

And, actually, yes, because it tells you a lot more about how awesome the game is rather then how awesome the companies bank account is that they can afford that much prerendered CGI.

I'm curious - have you not considered that an enormous factor in the content we publish is audience interest? We cover games that our audience is excited about, thus, we post a news story about the Mass Effect trailer, and not the World of Warplanes trailer.

If we only posted things about the games we personally cared about, this site would look very different, I assure you. Andy would write about nothing but weird Russian PC games, Grey would only write about shooters, and Justin would write about Baldur's Gate every day. Ok, every other day, alternating with Frozen Synapse, maybe.